Snow removal machine



E. T. STEWART snow REMOVAL MACHINE March 30, 1937.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 30, 1955 March 30, 1937. E, T, TEWART2,075,673

snow REMOVAL MACHI'NE I Filed 001:. 50, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 WWW N Fwfimm N lf m am WM v E X a ma. a. .r 0 m X E: in 1 0 r.........l..

March30, 1937. 5, T, STEWART I 2,075,673

SNOW REMOVAL MACHINE I Filed Oct. 30, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 PatentedMar. '30, 1937 UNITED STATES SNOW REMOVAL MACHINE Edward T. Stewart, St.one-third to Emil H.

Paul, Minn., assignor of .Schulz and one-third to Thomas Y. Stewart,both of St. Paul, Minn.

Application October 30, 1935, Serial No. 47,419

1 Claim.

My invention relates to snow removal machinery.

In removal of snow from streets, highways and other surfaces, it ishighly desirable to have snow removal machinery capable-of quickly andefficiently removing ice from such surfaces as well as removing firmlypacked drifts of snow from above such surfaces.

An object of my invention is to provide a snow removal machine havingnovel, rapid and efficient means for digging snow from drifts there-Another object is to provide such a machine having means for breakingand removing ice 5 from a surface over which the machine is propelled.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be morefully set forth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Fig. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view;

Fig. 3'is a front view, and

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view.

Referring to the drawings, my 'snow removal machine is preferablyassociated with. and carried by a motor truck chassis T including aframe F, axles A, wheels W and engine E, all of conventionalconstruction.

For attachment of certain parts of my machine to the truck chassis T, aframe is provided having longitudinal side members 5 resting upon andsecured to the side members of the truck frame F. A vertical framemember 6 is secured to the forward end of each side member 5 to extend amoderate distance therebelow and a somewhat greater distance thereabove.A diagonal brace member I connects points respectively on the verticalframe member 6 and the side member 5 so as to insure a rigid relationbetween the vertical frame members 6 and the side members 5.

Rectangular horizontally disposed upper and lower auxiliary frames 8,each comprising a rear member 8a, front member 8b and side members 80,are respectively rigidly secured at their rear members 8a to the upperand lower ends of the vertical frame members 6 so that the frames 8extend forwardly from the vertical frame members 6 in parallelvertically spaced relation to each other. Vertically disposed bars orslideways 9, spaced apart transversely of the machine, extend betweenthe upper and lower auxiliary frames 8 in parallel relation to eachother and are secured at their respective ends tocorresponding forwardcorner portions of the auxiliary frames 8.

Means is provided for receiving snow, as the machine is propelled intobodies thereof, comprising a large box l0 open at its forward side andhaving a relatively small dimension longitudinally of the machine. Thetop, bottom and. sidewardly facing sides Illa, lllb and lllc of the boxl0 are beveled at their inner forward corners to provide sharp forwardlydirected edges for cutting into bodies of snow.

The rear side I011 of the box I0 is shaped to slope somewhat rearwardlyfrom its edges toward and part way to its center, as shown, so as toform a rearwardly converging duct or passage for snow. -At its centralportion, the rear side Id of the box I0 is provided with an aperturellle for use as an outlet or exit for discharge of snow from theinterior of the box l0.

Means is provided for exhausting snow from the interior of the box l0.To this end a blower casing II is formed immediately rearwardly of andintegrally with the rear wall Illa. of the box In. The exit We of thebox l0 serves as the intake or inlet of the blower casing II. The rearside of the blower casing is closed by a plate Ila. A centrifugal blowerrotor l2, disposed within the casing ll, includes a rotor shaft [2awhich is journaled in the central portion of the rear closure plate Haof the blower casing II. The central portion of the plate Ila isprovided with a boss III) to provide ample support and bearing surfacefor the shaft I211. The blower casing II is apertured 'in'its upperportion to form an outlet and an outlet pipe l4, extending to one sideof the machine, is connected to the casing II in position to receivematerial from the outlet aperture of the blower and exhaust the same ina direction away from one side of the machine.

The box I0 is connected to the slide-ways 9 -for verticalsliding,movement relative thereto. Arms [5 extending rearwardly from therear wall llld of the box I!) carry guide members It; on their outerends mounted on the slide-ways 9 for sliding movement longitudinallythereof.

Means is provided for raising and lowering the box In. relative to thetruck chassis T. A crossbar I! extends between and is secured at itsrespective ends tothe respective ones of the side members 8c of theauxiliary frame 8. The cross bar I] has an aperture-in its middleportion through which the medial portion of a bolt l8 extends. The neckportion of the bolt I8 is screw-threadedly engaged in an internallyscrewthreaded apertured lug I9 projecting rearwardly from the rearclosure plate Ila of the blower casing H and the head |8a of the bolt I8is drawn up tightly against the lower side of the lug I9 to render thebolt l8 normally non-revoluble relative to the lug I9. An internallyscrew- 10 threaded tubular element 20, having a hand wheel 2| on itsupper end and bearing at its lower end on the cross bar I1, isscrew-threadedly mounted on the bolt l8. Rotation of the tubular element20 will obviously raise and lower 15 the box It! relative to the truckchassis T to vary the clearance between the lower side of the box I anda surface S upon which the truck is supported.

A pair of horizontally disposed brace bars 22 are secured at theirforward ends to the lower portion of the rear side of the box l8 andextend rearwardly therefrom. Each of the bars 22 is provided at its rearend with an upwardly projecting element 22a having a verticallyextending slot 22b therein through which a suitable member, such as thefront axle A of the truck '1. extending transversely of the truck Textends.

Snow digging and throwing means is provided within the snow receivingbox In. A forwardly and rearwardly extending cylindrical gear case 23 iscentrally located within the box I8 and is supported by support arms 23aextending rearwardly from the rear wall 23b of the case to an annularframe 230 secured to the rear wall |0d of the box III in encirclingrelation to the outlet aperture llle of the box Ill. The forward end ofthe gear case 23 is closed by a forwardly tapering conical closure cap23d suitably secured to the gear case 23. 1

A system of rotary snow digging and throwing paddles is constructed andarranged as follows:

Elongated revoluble elements 24 extend respectively from the forwardportions of the upper and lower right and left corners of the box H) tothe forward portion of the gear case 23. The

outer ends of the respective revoluble elements 24 are provided withportions 240. reduced in diameter to form journals, the journals 240being journaled in blocks 25 secured in the comers of 50 the box' l0 andapertured to form bearings receiving the journals 24a. The inner ends ofthe revoluble elements are reduced in diameter to Y form shaft stubs2417 which are journaled in suitable apertures in the gear case 23 andwhich project into the interior of the gear case 23.

A vertically disposed elongated revoluble element 26 is similarlyjournaled at its lower end 26b in the upper side of the rear portion ofthe gear case and at its upper end 26a in a bearing 60 block 21 securedto the upper side I00. of the box 18. A pair of elongated revolubleelements 28 disposed in the same vertical plane as the verticalrevoluble element 26 extend horizontally from respectively oppositevertical sides lOc of the box 65 Ill. The inner ends 28a of therevoluble elements 28 are joumaled in suitable apertures in the gearcase 23 and the outer ends are journaled in bearing blocks 29 secured tothe vertical sides lOc of the box Ill. The reduced diameter outer ends28a of the revoluble elements 28 project outwardly of the vertical sidesI lie of the box ID.

A horizontally disposed elongated revoluble element 30 extendsacross thebox In between the revoluble elements 28 and the bottom side llib 75 ofthe box l0. Reduced diameter end portions 38a and 30b of the revolubleelement 30 are journaled in bearing blocks 3| secured to the respectivevertical Sides |||e of the box. The reduced diameter end portion 30a atthe right hand end (left hand as viewed in Fig.3) of the revolubleelement 30 extends outwardly through and beyond the corresponding one ofthe vertical sides We of the box Ill.

Each of the above described elongated revoluble elements 24, 26, 28 and30 is provided with a radially projecting, helically extending flange 32forming in conjunction therewith a series of helical paddles orimpellers for digging and centrifugally throwing snow.

A shaft 33, disposed within and coaxially of the gear case 23 isjoumaled at its respective ends in bosses 23c and 23f formedrespectively on the inner sides of the closure cap 23d and the rear wall23b of the gear case 23. A wheel 34, mounted on the medial portion ofthe shaft 33, has bevel gear teeth 34a and 34?) formed respectively onthe front and rear sides thereof. Bevel pinions 35, mounted on therespective stub shafts 24b of the diagonally disposed revoluble elements24, are all meshed with the front side bevel gear teeth 34a of the wheel34. Other bevel pinions 36, mounted on the respective inner ends of thehorizontal revoluble elements 28 and the vertical revoluble element 26,are all meshed with the rear side bevel gear teeth 34b of the wheel 34.It should be apparent that the revoluble elements 24, 26 and 28 are allrotatively connected together through the wheel 34. Sprockets 31 and 38,connected together through a sprocket chain 39, are mounted respectivelyon the right hand (left hand as viewed in Fig. 3) ends 28a and 30a. ofthe right hand (left hand as viewed in Fig. 3) revoluble element 28 andthe revoluble element 30. Another sprocket 40, by means of which all ofthe revoluble elements 24, 26, 28 and 3|! may be simultaneously driven,is mounted on the left hand (right hand as viewed in Fig. 3) end of theleft hand (right hand as viewed in Fig. 3) revoluble element 28.

Scarifying means for breaking up ice on the surface S is providedimmediately forward of and projecting slightly below the forward edge ofthe lower side lb of the box l0. Brackets 4| are secured to the outersides of the lowermost portions of the respective vertical sides |0c ofthe box l0 and extend forwardly from the front of the box In. The outerends of the brackets are apertured for use as bearings. A rotatablemember 42, of square cross section, extends between the respectivebrackets 4| and carries cylindrical extensions 42a at its ends journaledin the apertured outer end portions of the respective brackets 4|. Aseries of rods 43 are disposed at their medial portions in diametricalapertures formed in the square rotatable member 42 and are securedtherein by means of set-screws 44. The free ends of the rods 43 aresuitably ground or beveled for use as ice breaking tooth elements. Asprocket 45 is mounted on the left hand (right hand as viewed in Fig. 3)cylindrical extension 42a of the revoluble square member 42.

A pair of U-shaped shaft supporting brackets 46, disposed at oppositesides of the machine in parallel vertical planes extendinglongitudinally of the machine, are rigidly secured at their forwardlyfacing free ends to the rear side of the box I 0 so as to extendrearwardly therefrom. An upper line shaft 41 is journaled adjacent itsrespective ends in apertures in the upper rear portions of therespective brackets 46 and a lower to the scarifier drive sprocket 45 bymeans of a sprocket chain 52.

A bevel gear 53, mounted on the rear end of the blower shaft |2a ismeshed with a bevel gear 54 mounted. on the medial portion of the upperline shaft 41.

Power supply means is provided fordriving the upper and lower lineshafts 41 and 48. For this purpose two power sources such as thegasoline engines 55 and 56, each preferably, but not necessarily,including a clutch and multi-speed transmission in its structure, aremounted on the frame members 5 with their rotational axes extendingtransversely of the truck chasss T. A sprocket 51, mounted on the powertake-off shaft of the engine 55 is connected by means of a sprocketchain 58 to a sprocket 5,9 non-revolubly mounted on .the upper lineshaft 41. A sleeve 60 rotatably carried on the upper line shaft 41 isprovided with sprockets 6| and 62 on its respective ends. The sprocketBI is connected by 30 means of a sprocket chain 63 to a sprocket 64mounted on the power takeeoff shaft of the engine 56. The secondsprocket 62 on the sleeve 60 is connected by means of a sprocket chain65 to a t sprocket 66 mounted on the lower line shaft 48. A weight 61may be mounted on the rearmost portion of the truck chassis T tocounterweight the box l0 and associated parts.

While, as described above, the mechanical power transmission system isnormally so ar- 40 ranged that the engine 55 drives the helical snowhandling impellers and the blower and the engine 56 drives the scarifieror ice stripping means, it should be apparent that it is readilypossible; when the scarifier is not required to be 45 in service, toarrange for driving of the blower by the engine 55 and of the helicalimpellers by the engine 56. The scarifier and impeller drive chains 52and 50 are removed and a similar chain of suitable length is placed onthe lower line 50 shaft sprocket 5| and the impeller drive sprocket 40so that the impellers are driven from the lower line shaft and only theblower is left connected to the upper line shaft.

It should be noted that the helical impellers are 55 driven at arelatively high speed and function in the manner of paddle wheels ratherthan as screw conveyors. As my snow handling machine is propelled into abody or bank of snow the rapidly whirling helical impellers dig snowfrom the face of the drift or bank and by virtue of centrifugal forcehurl this snow rearwardly whereupon the snow 'is sucked into the blowerand discharged through the outlet thereof.

When a pavement or other surface to be cleared of snow and ice has alayer of ice thereon the scarifier functions in an obvious manner tobreak up the layer of ice whereupon the broken ice is carried into thebox ID with the snow and is discharged from the blower with the snow.

Although my machine has been described as applied to snow removal, itshould be apparent that it may be readily adapted for handling ofvarious other materials which are in the form of powder, granules orsmall pieces.

While my snow removal apparatus has been illustrated and described asbeing associated with a motor truck chassis, it should be obvious thatthe apparatus could equally well be associated departing from the scopeof my invention, which,

generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out theobjects above set forth, and in the novel parts and combinations ofparts disclosed and defined in the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

In a snow removal machine, a forwardly opening snow receiving boxadapted for mounting on the forward end of a vehicle and having a snowdischarge opening in the rear side thereof, means for removing snow fromsaid box through said opening. a pair of shafts extending transverselyof and revolubly mounted in said box, one of said shafts being disposedrearwardly of and at a substantial angle to the other, a pair of flangesformed on the respective shafts, each of said flanges projectingradially from the corresponding one of said shafts and winding helicallythereabout through at least one convolution, and means for rotating saidshafts at relatively high speed whereby each of said flanges willfunction as a centrifugal snow-hurling impeller and will imposeaconstant torque load on said rotating means when acting upon a body ofsnow.

EDWARD T. STEWART.

